title: Reactions of phosphinites with oxide surfaces: a new method for anchoring organic and organometallic complexes.
abstract: When a pincer-ligated iridium complex with a phosphinite substituent in the para-position of the aromatic backbone is immobilized on γ-alumina, it becomes a highly effective supported catalyst for the transfer-dehydrogenation of alkanes. The nature of the interaction between the organometallic complex and the support was investigated using solid-state (31)P MAS NMR spectroscopy, solution-state (1)H and (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectroscopy, IR and GC/MS analysis of extracted reaction products. The phosphinite substituent is cleaved from the pincer ligand by its reaction with hydroxyl groups on the γ-alumina surface, resulting in covalent anchoring of the complex via the aryl ring. A similar reaction occurs on silica, allowing for ready grafting onto this support as well. A strategy for anchoring homogeneous catalysts on hydroxyl-terminated oxide supports though the selective cleavage of [POR]-containing ligand substituents is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, 93106-5080, USA.
authors.forename: Brian C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Vicente
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brookhart
authors.forename: Alan S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Goldman
authors.forename: Susannah L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Scott